A WINCHESTER girl is celebrating after she won a national-level pageant.

Grace Hannah, 13, fought off competition from girls from all over the country to take home the UK’s National Junior Miss Crown.

She has been involved in pageantry for the past six years and says that the experiences have gained her confidence and friends from all over the country. As a Queen, Grace plans to show other young girls what they can gain from pageantry and inspire them to enter themselves.

Hampshire Chronicle: Grace onstage at the pageantGrace onstage at the pageant (Image: Brian Hayes Photography)Grace said: “I am so excited to be your UKs National Junior Miss 2023. As one of the younger contestants in the division at 13 years old I am so proud to take home this prestigious title. This was my first time competing in a Pageant Girl system and it exceeded all of my expectations. From the amazing PJ party to rehearsals, I made so many new friends and came off stage saying I didn’t care how I placed because I knew I had done my best and had a blast! To win the crown was really just the cherry on top of an amazing weekend.”

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The UK’s National Miss two-day competition was held at The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, in Manchester, starting on July 14 with the activity and team building day which included glamourous photoshoots, empowerment workshops and a morning stretch and meditation session. The rehearsals and grand final itself took place on July 16.

Holly Pierre, director of UK’s National Miss, said: “I am so pleased for Grace, she truly deserved to win UK’s National Junior Miss. Grace is a beautiful girl, inside and out. We know she will be an excellent representative of the UK’s National Miss organisation; she has a very exciting year ahead!”

Hampshire Chronicle: Grace being crowned after winning the UK's National Junior Miss titleGrace being crowned after winning the UK's National Junior Miss title (Image: Brian Hayes Photography)Alongside the crown and national title, Grace has taken home a prize package including a queen’s retreat in a hotel away with her fellow pageant winners, a £350 voucher to spend at The Dress Studio, free makeup appointments, a royalty photoshoot, a selection of beauty products from UK Glam Squad, Ibrow Junkie and The Beauty Kin.

Founded by Holly Pierre in 2020, UK’s National Miss is a pageant system with five divisions for girls and women aged 12 or older with no upper age limit. The competition covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.